Things to Do in Sandakan

In the heart of the mangrove forests of Semawang in Sandakan, the privately owned Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary allows travelers to observe the rare and distinctive proboscis monkeys in their natural Borneo habitat.

It's estimated that about 300 wild monkeys live within this 2.3-square-mile (6-square-km) sanctuary, which includes two observation areas for visitors. These open daily for feedings at 9:30am, 11:30am, 2:30pm, and 4:30pm. The first, a long wooden walkway and platform set over a swampy mangrove, features a feeding station where rangers leave guava and cucumber to supplement the diets of the proboscis monkeys. The second area has a tiered viewing platform where silverleaf monkeys and a pair of oriental pied hornbills sometimes show up for feedings alongside the monkeys.

Many visit the sanctuary on a day trip from Sandakan or Kota Kinabalu, although overnight stays are also possible, with night tours offering the chance to see fireflies, wild boars, flying squirrels, and crocodiles in the wild. If you book in advance, it’s possible to combine the monkeys' feeding time with other activities, such as jungle treks or even a boat trip to a nearby fishing village.